Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) and Ready Washington believe that teacher leadership is essential for successful large-scale systemic changes in education, such as college and career ready learning standards, and teacher and principal evaluation. That’s why in 2016 we are expanding our teacher voices network from the Puget Sound region to statewide.

We view the implementation of the standards and assessments (Common Core and Next Generation Science and Smarter Balanced) and the state’s Teacher and Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP) as interrelated components that have the potential to elevate the teaching profession and ensure all students are prepared for life after high school.

What originally began two years ago as a cadre of accomplished teacher leaders from the Puget Sound region blogging about their classroom experiences and instructional practices has expanded to all nine ESD regions in the state. In partnership with Ready Washington, and funded through a generous grant from College Spark Washington, PSESD is excited to build upon work done by Puget Sound Teacher Leaders who have been blogging through the CORElaborate Website and tweeting (#WATeachLead and #TPEPchat) about standards-aligned practice.

After a competitive application process, PSESD and Ready Washington have hired 31 new teacher leaders to continue working to accelerate implementation of new learning and teaching standards through teacher dialogue via social media. In addition to monthly blog posts, teachers host and participate in two PSESD supported Twitter chats each month.

Through their social media platforms and professional learning networks, Washington State Teacher Leaders will share their learnings and resources about college and career ready learning standards and assessments, and educator evaluation with other teachers across the region.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction released state testing scores Monday, including the first scores from the Smarter Balanced Assessments. The results were promising and exceeded early predictions. See grades 3-8 English language arts and math exams above.

OLYMPIA – August 17, 2015 — Results from the spring 2015 administration of state tests were released by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction today during a press conference.Results included:

the Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts and math, taken by students in grades 3-8 and 10-11;

the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) in science, taken by students in grades 5 and 8; and

end-of-course (EOC) exit exams in algebra I and geometry, taken by some students in grades 9-12.

Students in grades 3-8 and high school have been taking state tests, as required by state and federal law, since 2006. They help identify learning gaps and are used to determine school and district Adequate Yearly Progress. Washington’s high school students are also required to pass certain tests, or state-approved alternatives, to be eligible for graduation.This is the first year students took the Smarter Balanced tests. “They are the most advanced that students have ever taken,” said Dorn. “They measure students’ progress on the learning standards, so teachers know where students are succeeding and where they need extra help.”Dorn said he was pleased with the first-year results. “Statewide results beat our predictions,” he said. “That says to me that students are capable of learning our new standards, which are designed to make sure students are ready for career and college.“It also says that the overall delivery system of the tests worked. Teachers and staff did a great job understanding and applying the new testing technology. I commend all of them for their work.”

Want to know what to expect with the release of state testing scores? We have answers to many of your questions.Ready Washington and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction partnered on August 12 to brief members of the media on what to expect with the August 17 state testing score release. OSPI is scheduled to release state testing scores at 10 a.m. Monday. The event can be viewed live on TVW (cable systems) or TVW.org.The results that will be released include:

Smarter Balanced grades 3-8 in math and English language arts

Science Measurements of Student Progress grades 5 and 8

End-of-course exams in algebra 1and geometry; biology to be reported later

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

The release of the first scores from Smarter Balanced will evoke many questions, but the first point to keep in mind is this is a baseline year for Smarter Balanced English language arts and math scores. It's not an apples-to-apples comparison with previous state exams, like the Measurements of Student Progress and the High School Proficiency Exam. Why? The new English language arts and math learning standards are more rigorous, thus creating a higher standard.

The Tacoma News-Tribune wrote a story covering this topic. You can view it by clicking here. The State Report Card site will include all state, district and school result, but will not include comparison of scores from spring 2014.The August 12 media briefing was conducted at Puget Sound Skills Center in Burien. Dr. Susan Enfield, superintendent of Highlline Public Schools, served as the host and keynote speaker. Other panel participants included:

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Ready Washington is a coalition of state education agencies, associations and advocacy organizations that believe all students should be better prepared for college, work and life. Please contact us by clicking here.